The Latest on China Boat Sinking: Holes being cut into hull

Rescuers have now cut holes into the overturned hull of the cruise ship in three places — near the bow, middle and stern — to search for additional survivors, but have found none so far.

After checking each location, the workers are welding the removed sections of the hull back on and sealing them to maintain the ship's buoyancy and balance.

At the same time, divers are working in three shifts underwater to search the ship's cabins one by one.

The weather has been rainy since last night, but is tapering off as the day goes on.

Earlier Thursday, dressed in white scrubs, dozens of medical workers were standing next to rescuers as they pulled out more bodies from the ship.

On the nearby shore of the Yangtze River, relatives of some of the hundreds of victims still unaccounted for cried after being barred entry to the mortuary to seek information about their loved ones.

Access to the site remains blocked by police and paramilitary troops stationed along the Yangtze embankment, and the only information coming out is from the state-run media.

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8:45 a.m. (0045 GMT)

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV says the death toll in the capsizing of a river cruise ship more than two days ago has risen to 65.

There were 456 people, including crew, thought to be on the vessel when it overturned in bad weather on the Yangtze River. Only 14 people have been rescued, and hopes have dimmed that any others will be found alive.